Washington, D.C. – Last night, Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26), introduced an amendment that would allow 100-watt lighbulbs to continue to be sold past the January 1 ban date.  The amendment would prevent the Department of Energy from enforcing the Subtitle B of Title III of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which bans the 100-watt lightbulb. The amendment passed with a voice vote and without objection. After the vote, Dr. Burgess released the following statement.

“Starting January 1, if Home Depot or your local grocery store has the 100-watt bulb in their inventory, they will not be allowed to sell them. That means they will take all 100-watt bulbs off the shelf, and they will never see the consumer. My amendment will allow the stores to continue to sell what they have in stock. The 2007 provision never said that these companies could not make the bulb, it said that they couldn’t be sold.

“Further, if a manufacturer should choose to continue to make 100-watt bulbs, they would be permitted under this language, as there is clearly a market based on the thousands of consumers who have contacted Congress upset about their inability to buy 100-watt lightbulbs. This is about the consumer driving the market, not the federal government deciding the market.”

To view Dr. Burgess’ floor speech on his amendment click here.